Hays Post – Page 1374 – Hays Post Archive

Elaine L. (Karst) Becker

Posted on April 16, 2018

Elaine L. (Karst) Becker, 90, of Russell, Kansas, and formerly of Milberger, Kansas, passed away Thursday, April 12, 2018 at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell.

Elaine was born January 5, 1928 in Great Bend, Kansas, the daughter of Hubert and Martha (Nuss) Karst. She grew up on the family farm near Galatia, Kansas. She attended a rural school in the Galatia area and graduated from Great Bend High School in 1944.

Elaine was united in marriage to LaVern H. Becker on September 30, 1945 in Milberger, Kansas. This union was blessed with two children; Janet and Martin. They made their home on a farm in the Milberger area. LaVern preceded her in death on May 19, 1995.

Elaine was a devoted wife and homemaker for her family. She was known as the “Income Tax Lady” due to the fact that she helped her neighbors and friends do their taxes. She was a Bookkeeper at the Russell Livestock Commission and also a Receptionist at Stricker Farm – Sewing Industry. She was an active member of the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church; where she was a Sunday School Teacher, a member of the ALCWomen, and was the Church organist and Choir Director for over 50 years. She was also very active in her community. She was a Sunflower 4-H Leader, was on the Russell County Extension Executive Board, the Russell County Republican Central Committee, the Russell Prairiesta Committee, the Milberger Activity Association, Germans from Russia Association; the Martin Luther Home Board of Directors and the Prairie Mates FCE. In her spare time she enjoyed cooking for her family and doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles.

Surviving family include her daughter, Janet Funk (Wayne) of Russell, Kansas; son, Martin Becker (Susan) of Russell, Kansas; five grandchildren, Doug Funk (Teema), Warren Funk (Erica), Deric Funk (Mandy), Ryan Becker (Micah) and Megan Becker; seven great grandchildren, Riley Becker, Reagan Becker, Elijah Becker, Silas Becker, Lakin Funk, Camille Funk and Kaitlyn Funk; and three step great grandchildren, Chloe Dohe, Macy Howard and Makayla Howard.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brother, Orlen Karst.

Celebration of Elaine’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Milberger. Burial will follow at the Milberger Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday, April 16, 2018 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 PM, Monday at the Mortuary. Memorials have been established with the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church or the Prairie Mates FCE. Contributions and condolence may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Jerald (Jerry) A. Ross

Posted on April 16, 2018

Jerald (Jerry) A. Ross, 67, was born December 12, 1950, at Russell, Kansas, the son of Lee E. and Mary Catherine (Quint) Ross, and died April 12, 2018, at his home. Jerry graduated from Luray High School in 1969. He loved high school sports and played football at Butler County Community College. He then transferred to Fort Hays State University where he graduated with an Industrial Arts degree in 1973. On April 12, 1975, he married Cindy Borger in Meade, Kansas. Jerry and Cindy were blessed with three children—Jennifer, Jeralyn and Jonathan.

Jerry loved wheat harvest. In his younger years he owned and operated a custom cutting business and traveled from Oklahoma to South Dakota. Later he enjoyed giving his kids and grandkids a ride on the combine. He was proud to teach his son and grandsons about the farming operation. He also enjoyed reminiscing about the “good old days” growing up on the family farm west of Luray. In more recent years, he loved attending his grandchildren’s many sporting events as he was proud of each and every one. Jerry also had many odd jobs over the years including working at Larned State Hospital as an MHDD. His most recent job was a cashier at Russell Travel Center where he enjoyed meeting new people, as he never met a stranger.

Throughout his life, Jerry was a member of various civic organizations including the Bunker Hill Lions Club and the local Kiwanis Club. While his family was actively involved in 4-H, he served on the Russell County Fair Board. He was also proud to be a Russell County Commissioner for several years. Jerry was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and had served on the Property Committee. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone.

Surviving family includes Cindy of the home, daughters Jennifer McNett (Douglas) of Larned, Kansas, and Jeralyn Jefferson (Ellis) and son, Jonathan Ross (Heather), of Russell, Kansas. Jerry was also blessed to have 9 grandchildren: Ross, Reed, Ella and Emma McNett; Jasmine and Ellise Jefferson; and Brygette, Jaxon and Karrsyn Ross. He is also survived by 7 brothers–Joe Ross (Carol), Abilene, KS; Richard Ross (Jeanette), Olathe, KS; Kelly Ross, Oklahoma City, OK; Gary Ross, Plano, TX; Brad Ross (Linda), Raymore, MO; Robert Ross, Nashville, TN, and Harlan Ross (Kim), Manhattan, KS; 2 sisters–Cathy Nelson (Larry) and Mary Pat Waymaster (Lance), both of Russell, KS, as well as many nieces and nephews, and his mother-in-law, Katherine Borger, of Meade, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Mary Catherine Ross.

The funeral service will be held at St. John Lutheran Church on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at 10:30 A.M. Burial will follow at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 7 P.M. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at the mortuary with family available to greet people from 6 to 7 P.M. The family has set up a memorial to be given to Pheasants Forever or St. John’s Lutheran church and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Jesse Lee Craft

Posted on April 16, 2018

Lifelong Sherman County and Wallace County famer Jesse Lee Craft, 87, passed away on Friday, April 13, 2018 at his home in Goodland, Kansas.

He was born on January 5, 1931 in rural Sherman County, to Everett and Elva (Dillinger) Craft. He married Doris Sieck on August 8, 1948 in Goodland. They started farming just two miles from where they both grew up. They were blessed with three daughters, Shirley, Karen and Marsha.

Jesse loved farming, but as he always said, “we had our ups and downs”. He served his community and was involved and served on many different state and local boards. He especially liked anything that involved young ones, 4-H, sports, etc.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his brother Darrell Craft and his wife Connie, and an infant great grandchild Hadley Grace Schilling.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years Doris, of the home in Goodland, his three daughters Shirley (Ron) Busse of Edson, Kansas, Karen (Les) Lampe of Shawnee, Kansas and Marsha (Ron) Schilling of Edson, KS; eight grandchildren, Justin (Amity) Ihrig, John (Tisha) Ihrig, Jessica (Tom) Nittler, Anne (Nate) Rahmeier, Paul Lampe, Cash (Amanda) Schilling, Chance (Emily) Schilling and Clay (Kaycie) Schilling, seventeen great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Memorial services for Jesse will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2018 at 2:00 PM MT at the United Methodist Church in Goodland with Pastor Zach Anderson and Pastor Brent Flanders officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Goodland Cemetery. The family would like to invite everyone to the Methodist Church Fellowship Hall after the service for a time of fellowship and refreshments.

In Lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions may be designated to the NWKS Shrine Club or to the United Methodist Church in Goodland and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

Roofer banned from doing business in Kan. after orders in Sheridan, Thomas counties

Posted on April 16, 2018

TOPEKA – A Wichita roofer has been temporarily banned from doing business in Kansas by two court orders while lawsuits alleging violations of consumer protection laws are pending, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said today.

Energy Guard Midwest, LLC, of Wichita, is temporarily banned from doing business in Kansas. District Judge Kevin Berens entered temporary restraining orders last week in both Sheridan and Thomas County District Courts prohibiting the company from acting as a roofing contractor or a general contractor in the state. The company is allowed to complete roofing and construction services currently under contract under the supervision of the attorney general’s office. The orders were agreed to by the defendant.

The lawsuits allege that the defendant took payment from consumers for roofing services in Thomas and Sheridan counties, but failed to perform the work and then failed to refund the consumers’ down payments. The allegations constitute violations of the Kansas Roofing Registration Act (KRRA) and Kansas Consumer Protection Act (KCPA). The cases are Sheridan County District Court No. 2018-CV-4 and Thomas County District Court No. 2018-CV-10. A copy of the attorney general’s lawsuits and temporary restraining orders are available at www.ag.ks.gov/roofer-enforcement.

Schmidt also announced he has entered into consent judgments with eight other roofing contractors for violations of the KRRA. The settlements require the contractors to pay civil penalties for KRRA violations. They also require the contractors to comply with the KRRA when providing roofing services in the future.

The eight roofing contractors fined are:
• Octavio Arredondo dba J&A Roofing, Seward County District Court, Case No. 2018-CV-47
• Andrew Conklin, dba Andy’s Exterior Solutions, Leavenworth County District Court, Case No. 2018-CV-86
• Frontline Roofing, LLC, Johnson County District Court, Case No. 2018-CV-1632
• Gary Glacken, dba GTL Construction, Geary County District Court, Case No. 2018-CV-64
• Neal Property Management, LLC, Sedgwick County District Court, Case No. 2018-CV-706-OT
• James Ryan dba James Ryan Remodeling, Shawnee County District Court, Case No. 2018-CV-276
• Gabriel Sanchez, dba Sanchez Construction LLC, dba Sanchez Construction GZ, Inc., Riley County District Court, Case No. 2018-CV-46
• Randy L. Smith, Reece L. Smith, dba Smith Construction, Cloud County District Court, Case No. 2018-CV-15

In each case, Schmidt alleged the defendants engaged in advertising, soliciting or performing roofing contractor services in Kansas without registering with the attorney general’s office as required by the KRRA. Copies of the consent judgments are available at www.ag.ks.gov/roofer-enforcement.

Schmidt reminded consumers to make sure roofing contractors are properly registered before signing any contract or having any work done. Consumers should request a copy of their roofer’s registration certificate and then should check the attorney general’s consumer protection website at www.InYourCornerKansas.org to confirm that the roofer’s registration is in good standing.

Repair work on Indian Trail bridge underway

Posted on April 16, 2018

CITY OF HAYS

Beginning Monday, April 16, will be reduced to one lane in the 2600 block of Indian Trail for bridge repairs. This work is expected to be completed in approximately three weeks.

Signs will be in place to direct the traveling public. The traveling public should use caution and if at all possible avoid this area.

The city of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. If there are any questions, please call the Public Works Service Division at 785-628-7350.

Jenetta J. Filbert

Posted on April 16, 2018

Jenetta J. Filbert, age 91, died on April 13, 2018 at Cedar Village, Ness City. She was born on February 23, 1927 South of Bazine to John and Bertha Krug Schneider.

She grew up and attended school in the Bazine area. After graduating from high school, she went to work at the Baker Hospital, LaCrosse for several years. She accepted the Lord into her life and was baptized in the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

After attending Union College, she then went to work at the Porter Memorial Hospital, Denver, Colorado, working in medical records as a medical secretary. She also worked at the Portland Hospital, Portland, Oregon. Due to her parents being in poor health she moved back to Kansas to help them. She also worked for Dr. Wiens and Dr. PraKorn as a medical assistant and an insurance secretary. She loved to cook and bake and make of crafts of all kinds. Jenetta traveled to most of the States of the USA and she traveled overseas as well. She gave much of her time in helping others and holding different offices in the church. Her church family was important to her. Jenetta also worked in the Ness City IGA grocery store as the baker until she retired.

She married Gus Filbert in 1972, they spent some of their winters in Arizona until Gus passed away in 1981.

Jenetta was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two sisters, Elvira Kerr and Glenda Koch. She is survived by her niece Gloria Keenan and her husband, Terry, of Ness City and three nephews, Mark Kerr and his wife, Renée, of Ness City, John Koch and his wife, Sharon, of Enterprise, Jim Koch and his wife, Jerri, of Gardner, and Jack Koch and his wife, Kim, of Garden City; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, 10:00 A.M. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City. Viewing at the funeral home on Tuesday from 9:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M. Memorial Contributions may be given to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Bazine.

New Kansas City airport will have 4 more gates

Posted on April 16, 2018April 16, 2018

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The new Kansas City International Airport will be bigger than originally planned.

City and airline officials announced Thursday that the new airport will have 39 gates rather than the 35 originally proposed. They said growth in passenger traffic prompted the design change.

The change in terminals will delay the opening of the airport, which was originally scheduled for November 2021. A new opening date was not announced. It also will increase the estimated cost of the project, which was originally $964 million.

The new design will allow for future expansion to 42 gates.

Taxpayer money will not be used for the new terminal, which will be financed by the developer, Edgemoor. The company will be paid back by revenue from airlines and other airport users.

Craig C. Campbell

Posted on April 16, 2018

Craig C. Campbell passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Pueblo West, Colorado on April 11, 2018. Craig was born in Hays, Kansas on January 4, 1930 to Page and Marguerite (Clark) Campbell.

He was raised on the family farm with hard work and honest family values. In 1950, Craig married his high school sweetheart, Doris Albertson, and together they raised five sons.

Craig is survived by his wife, Doris; sons, Duane (Marietta), Lyle (Ann Marie), Randy (Barbara), Mark, and Daryl (Gloria); sixteen grandchildren, one brother, Dean; and one sister, Nira (Gary) Jones. Craig was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Delbert; daughter-in-law, Lynette; and two grandsons, Caleb Campbell and Daniel Jacobson.

Graveside service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at WaKeeney City Cemetery.

Visitation will be Monday evening, from 5 to 7 at the funeral home in WaKeeney.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Contributions made to the hospital may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.schmittfuneral.com.

Nan Conaway

Posted on April 16, 2018

Nan Conaway, age 103, of Oakley, passed away Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Redbud Village, Plainville.

Services are pending with Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Skunks I have met

Posted on April 16, 2018

I recently agreed to see if a skunk needed evicted from beneath a friend’s empty home that is for sale. She said she was in the house the other day and it smelled terribly “skunky” inside, making her think one might be living under the porch. My glasses have transition lenses that turn really dark in the sunlight, so as I blindly peered into the darkness beneath the porch I wondered aloud how bad the situation might turn if I suddenly came face-to-face (and hopefully not face-to-butt) with the resident skunk.

I’ve had some interesting adventures involving skunks in traps, the worst of which led to a drive home in my underwear so I didn’t totally contaminate the inside of my truck. Looking back, I can call them interesting now, but at the time my descriptions were slightly different. Skunks are fairly laid back critters and if caught in an enclosed or covered cage trap can usually be carted away in the trap and unceremoniously dumped somewhere without incident.

Some years ago as a new trapper, I caught one in a large cage trap set for bobcats, possibly a first for both me and the skunk. As I slowly approached the cage, the silly thing ran to the back and began an acrobatics display fit for a circus. First up one side, across the back by its front claws then down the other side it went, twirling like a little black and white ballerina. With great effort and a long stick I got the cage door propped open, then turned and ran cause’ I knew Pepe’ would be charging the open door for his freedom. At a safe distance I turned to watch, and there it still hung like Spiderman on the inside of the cage.

My next plan involved rushing the cage, arms flailing and shouting at the top of my lungs, hoping to scare the critter out the open front door. It didn’t take me long to see how this would turn disastrous and the maneuver was called off in mid-charge. I had other traps to check, so I opted to leave for awhile, then just stop on my way back through and reset the trap after Pepe’ had vamoosed. A half hour later I found it still in the trap, curled up in a fuzzy little black and white ball in the back corner of the cage. I finally just left and the thing vanished sometime overnight.

My latest encounter was just last season. A short distance from town I had a large skunk caught in a foothold coyote trap. Despite most people’s thinking, foothold traps usually cause a critter no more than a sore foot for awhile, but this skunk appeared to be stone cold dead. I stood and marveled at its beautiful silky fur as it rippled in the wind, and tried to figure what had caused its demise. It had the trap completely covered so I needed to push it aside to remove it. Both the skunk and the trap were going to stink already, and not anxious to drive home again in my stocking feet or underwear, I found a nice sturdy stick to roll it out of the way. I don’t know who was most surprised, the sleeping skunk when I poked it with the stick or me when it suddenly jumped to its feet! This encounter did not end in disaster (for me) but it gave new meaning to the old cliché’ “Things are not always as they seem.”

I’ve never understood how the term “skunked” came to mean basically getting nothing, as in getting “skunked” on a fishing trip. They are amazing little creatures that are very good at doing what God created them to do. Their fur is soft and silky, their essence is prized by trappers and the perfume industry and they’re actually fun to watch as they waddle along. But if you ever get “skunked” by messing with one, I guarantee you’ll get way more than nothing!

Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at [email protected].

Fort Hays State prepares for 52nd annual rodeo

Posted on April 16, 2018April 16, 2018

By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN
FHSU University Relations and Marketing

Bronc Rumford has been associated with all 51 of the previous Fort Hays State University rodeos, so he has witnessed competitors rope and ride through all kinds of weather.

However, neither rain nor wind nor even snow deter rodeo contestants. So it doesn’t bother Rumford, a former standout on the FHSU rodeo team and now head coach for his alma mater’s rodeo club, that there is a chance of rain in the forecast for this year’s event.

The 52nd annual FHSU NIRA Rodeo is scheduled for Friday through Sunday, April 20-22, at Doug Philip Arena, located on Golf Course Road, a half mile west of U.S. Highway 183 Alternate.

“As badly as we need rain, I’m not going to complain if it rains,” Rumford said.

Rain or shine, the rodeo has gone on, and this year is no different.

About 500 contestants from 21 schools will converge on Hays for the three-day event, held at the arena named in honor of the man who helped start the first rodeo club at FHSU back in the mid 1960s.

The public performances are set for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. But there is a plethora of other activities for fans to take in, too.

Those include a costume ribbon roping Friday night; the Wild Ride, riding bucking horses with costumes, Saturday night; and a freestyle bullfighting exhibition all three days. The 2018 FHSU rodeo queen will be crowned Friday night.

Contestants will compete in bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, goat tying, barrel racing, steer wrestling and team roping.

The top three individuals in points in each individual event, as well as the top two teams, in each of the 11 regions across the country qualify for the College National Finals June 10-16 in Casper, Wyo.

Several FHSU competitors still have a shot at making nationals, should they place well in the final two rodeos on the Central Plains Region circuit.

Rumford has been attending FHSU’s rodeos since he was a youngster because his family’s business, Rumford Rodeo Co. out of Abbyville, supplied the stock for the rodeo for 45 years. Like always, he thinks fans are in for a treat.

“In my opinion, this is the toughest region in college rodeo,” Rumford said. “Other regions are just as tough when you’re talking the best against the best, but most of the other regions don’t have as much depth that ours does.”

Rumford said the rodeo provides a little bit of everything. Prior to Saturday night’s competition, there will be an appreciation dinner alumni of the rodeo club, current members and their parents and sponsors. Sunday’s activities will begin with a 10 a.m. church service called Cowboy Church.

“There will be some spills of course, some thrills and a lot of excitement,” he said.

Tickets are available for purchase at several locations in Hays: the Student Service Center in the FHSU Memorial Union; the FHSU rodeo office, Albertson Hall 213A; Orscheln’s Farm and Home Center, 2900 Broadway Ave.; and Vanderbilt’s, Inc., 2704 Vine St., Suite A.

Prices for advanced ticket sales are $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 6 to 15. Tickets also can be purchased at the gate for $12 (adults) and $8 (children). Those 5 and under will be admitted free, as will FHSU students, with their Tiger ID card.

HFD training this week at Aubel-Bickle Park

Posted on April 16, 2018April 16, 2018

Hays firefighters train at Aubel Bickle Park.

HFD

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, April 16, 17 and 18 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., city of Hays firefighters will be practicing the procedures to attack a large fire.

This training will be conducted at Aubel-Bickle Park on Sherman Avenue between 27th Street Terrace and 29th Street. Traffic will be restricted in this area. The public is invited to observe.

This training tests the ability of the five on-duty firefighters to quickly place large fire streams at work to control a building fire or keep such a fire from spreading to other buildings.

The city of Hays Fire Department policy is to conserve water as practical while maintaining the capabilities to respond to emergencies.

By conducting this training in the park, the water is also being used to help maintain the grass and other landscaping.

Louis J. Normandin

Posted on April 16, 2018

Louis J. Normandin, 91, Olathe, formerly of Hays, died Friday, April 13, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society of Olathe.

He was born February 20, 1927 in Damar, Kansas the son of Norman C. and Irene (Benoit) Normandin. He was a graduate of Damar High School then served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Benedictine College and went on to be an elementary school classroom teacher for 31 years for Hays USD 489. On February 1, 1964 he was united in marriage to Irene M. (Augustine) Lambrecht. They celebrated over 54 years of marriage. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the VFW, the Third Degree Knights of Columbus in Olathe and the Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. He loved fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife Irene of Olathe, a son; Brian Normandin and wife Tonya of Olathe, a stepdaughter; Carmie Ferland and husband Don of Marlow, OK, four brothers; Eugene Normandin and wife Helen of Colby, Alfred Normandin of Poquoson, VA, Donald Normandin and wife Linda of Damar, and Richard Normandin and wife Mallone of Hays, two sisters; Jeannie Bellerive of Plainville and Della Huhmann of Tuscumbia, MO, two sisters-in-law; Lavonne Normandin of Plainville and Joanna Normandin of Hays, four grandchildren; Nickolas Normandin, Ty Normandin, Lance Ferland and wife Cami, and Joel Ferland and wife Mindee, and five great grandchildren; Tyler, Macy, Ivy, Trevor and Luke.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers; Duane and Melvin, a sister; Mary Ann Meyers, and a step-daughter; Janelle Bryant.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 201 W. 13th, Hays, with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Tuesday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Wednesday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 5:30 until 6:30 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home. A parish vigil will begin at 6:30, and a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus rosary will be at 7:00 pm, all on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Benedictine College or to St. Joseph Catholic Church, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com